'We’re a superpower in Indian football,' says Kerala's National Games gold-winning coach

Head coach Shafeeq Hassan Madathil made a bold statement shortly after Kerala clinched gold medal in men's football at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand on Friday. Kerala edged the hosts 1-0 after receiving a red card in the 74th minute in the final.

On New Year's Eve, a Kerala team had played the Santosh Trophy final, losing only to a very late goal against West Bengal.  

"We are a superpower in Indian football," Shafeeq told the broadcaster, Prasar Bharti, at full-time. Shafeeq reminded the interviewer that his National Games squad had been freshly recruited in January after the Santosh Trophy. "There is nobody in this squad from the Santosh Trophy. We came up with a new team, of them 19 are playing the first time for the state," Shafeeq said.

Kerala rested all its star players who took part in the Santosh Trophy in Hyderabad, including Gani Nigam, Nijo Gilbert, Sanju G, Muhammed Ajsal, and Naseeb Rahman. Defender Ajay Alex captained Kerala in Uttarakhand.

Even the Santosh Trophy coaching staff headed by Biby Thomas and comprising Harry Benny and Nelson M V was changed for the National Games. Shasin Chandran K and Eldho Paul came in as Shafeeq's assistants.

"I appreciate the Kerala Football Association for sending a young squad. We're the youngest team. The striker is 17 years old, and the player who came on at the last is 19 years old," Shafeeq said before making an even bolder remark. "We can even field another team on top of this team," said Shafeeq brimming with confidence.